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Joined: January 2002 Posts: 970
Location: Atlanta,Ga. | Have you ever wondered what if someone built a slothead adamas with carved headstock,heel and bridge and then made it with traditional back and sides.Here are some pics of a project a luthier is doing..
Mahogany neck,flame koa binding,rosewood back and sides,ebony fingerbaord
http://www.ovationfanclub.com/photos/samova_58858_pic2.jpg
http://www.ovationfanclub.com/photos/samova_58752_pic1.jpg
http://www.ovationfanclub.com/photos/samova_58908_pic3.jpg |
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 Joined: April 2004 Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | I remember talking to you about that project!
Keep us updated as progress continues. Sounds like a really cool idea. |
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Joined: January 2002 Posts: 970
Location: Atlanta,Ga. | Stephen,hopefully it will turn out well and sound great..here are more pics
http://www.ovationfanclub.com/photos/samova_61334_pic1.jpg
http://www.ovationfanclub.com/photos/samova_61420_pic2.jpg |
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Joined: March 2002 Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | . . . but that's not an Adamas top . . |
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Joined: January 2002 Posts: 970
Location: Atlanta,Ga. | Great observation cliff!! Just kidding.
The theme of the guitar is all wooden adamas.The top is actually an ovation spruce top that has been sitting around(aging) for about20- 25 years.I(we) selected it from about 6 i have.This one was the best top with the streightest grain.When the luthier thumped it just right it made cool noises that he understood while i stood there scratching my head.. |
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Joined: October 2004 Posts: 124
| sounds like good project, but it ain't adamas =)
the secret is in the bracing. is it your new toy? wonder how it compares to your adamas or alvarez.
did ovation or kaman ever file patent for the top design or looks? |
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Joined: January 2002 Posts: 970
Location: Atlanta,Ga. | I have no idea what it will sound like but i dont expect or want it to sound like an adamas.After all, i have several adami and dont want another to be the same.This will have a unique bracing system based on the "Kasha" bracing pattern,not the adamas quanted.Again this guitar might sound like "dog poo" but i have a strong hunch it wont.The guitar is an experinment to see how the ovation multi sounhole design works with rosewood back and sides.I'll keep updating the guitar in progress and give a full report when its done. |
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Joined: May 2003 Posts: 4389
Location: Capital District, NY, USA Minor Outlying Islands | Samova, what's your luthier's name?
As they say, don't keep your luthier under a bushel. Or something like that. |
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Joined: January 2002 Posts: 970
Location: Atlanta,Ga. | His name is Brian Hendley,a very nice guy who really knows guitar building.If you got to dreamguitars.com and look under up and coming builders it talks about him.His guitars sell for around $4500-$5000 and sell quickly due to the unique voicing and bracing pattern he uses. |
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Joined: January 2002 Posts: 970
Location: Atlanta,Ga. | update on project.Sides are bent with flame koa binding and ready for back and top.Body is usuall ovation shape.Epaulettes are being inlayed rather than surface mounted to top.
http://www.ovationfanclub.com/photos/samova_80750_ova2.jpg
http://www.ovationfanclub.com/photos/samova_80113_ova1.jpg |
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Joined: March 2002 Posts: 1380
Location: Central Oregon | This is fun to watch Samova, thanks. I always wondered how they bent the sides. I'm looking forward to the next installment. |
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Joined: January 2002 Posts: 970
Location: Atlanta,Ga. | few more pics here.Also more on my gallery under "project"
pics of epaulets routed and inlayed.
http://www.ovationfanclub.com/photos/samova_42839_pic1.jpg
http://www.ovationfanclub.com/photos/samova_42942_pic3.jpg
http://www.ovationfanclub.com/photos/samova_42882_pic2.jpg |
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Joined: January 2002 Posts: 970
Location: Atlanta,Ga. | couple more
http://www.ovationfanclub.com/photos/samova_43935_pic6.jpg
http://www.ovationfanclub.com/photos/samova_43891_pic5.jpg
http://www.ovationfanclub.com/photos/samova_43988_pic7.jpg |
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Joined: November 2002 Posts: 1196
Location: Lafayette, Louisiana | Sam, the flamed koa binding is a great chioce. I have always like wood binding on a guitar. The 1537 Elites had wood binding, and it really set that guitar apart as far as looks. When do you expect this project guitar to be completed? |
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Joined: November 2002 Posts: 3648
Location: Pacific Northwest Inland Empire | looks like he's making good progress, so far. At this rate, about a month, I'd say. |
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Joined: January 2002 Posts: 970
Location: Atlanta,Ga. | Paul, i also love wood binding.At first i thought flame maple but decided along with the luthier to go with koa.I expect the project to take about 4 months.The neck will probably take the longest due to the fact that he is hand carving the heel to match the early slotheads.The headstock carving and bridge i already have so its a matter of blueing it to the top and neck.There will also be two strips of graphite under the fingerboard for reinforcementnect to the trus rod on each side.Had to sneak some graphite in there somewhere. |
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Joined: October 2004 Posts: 124
| wow, good progress! good taste!! koa binding is better than maple. try flame maple on the side & back on the next one =)
mr. kaman's so smart to make guitar with round "plastic" bowl. a lot cheaper, faster & easier to make guitar. no wonder martin & taylor cost so much more =) |
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Joined: January 2002 Posts: 970
Location: Atlanta,Ga. | To those of you who have kept up with this wooden Adamas project.An update. here are a few more pics of the body which is almost ready to be completely assembled.Next the neck.
for more complete update,go to the member picture gallary under samova and click "project"
http://www.ovationfanclub.com/photos/samova_79409_pic2.jpg
http://www.ovationfanclub.com/photos/samova_79572_pic5.jpg
http://www.ovationfanclub.com/photos/samova_79708_pic6.jpg
http://www.ovationfanclub.com/photos/samova_79466_pic3.jpg |
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Joined: March 2005 Posts: 2791
Location: Atlanta, GA. | Nice looking project Sam. I'd be very interested in seeing/hearing this one once you get it home. |
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 Joined: January 2002 Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | It will be interesting to see how the sound turns out. I remember Kasha from the Gibson Mark series acoustics and they were the soak through your new carpet runny dog spoo. Hope yours is better. |
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 Joined: December 2003 Posts: 13996
Location: Upper Left USA | Nothing like the smell of freshly ground Koa in the morning! Or was that Kona?
Very interesting bracing configuration. |
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Joined: November 2002 Posts: 1300
Location: Madison, Wisconsin | I think Koa is ground but Kona is crumbled! :cool: |
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Joined: January 2002 Posts: 970
Location: Atlanta,Ga. | Bill, its not really all the kasha bracing.Its a hybrid.Its traditional "X" bracing with some of the kasha bracing.Braced ligher on one side ,stiffer on the other. |
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Joined: January 2002 Posts: 970
Location: Atlanta,Ga. | Here's a pic of the top with binding on the inlayed epaulets(this was not easy).Top is ready for final sanding and clean up..
http://www.ovationfanclub.com/photos/samova_54867_pic8.jpg |
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Joined: November 2002 Posts: 1196
Location: Lafayette, Louisiana | Sam, that is one awesome project you have going here. Do you have a time when you think the guitar will be complete? I look forward to pictures and your report on how it sounds. |
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Joined: May 2003 Posts: 4389
Location: Capital District, NY, USA Minor Outlying Islands | What kind of finish will you use? Same finish for the neck? The wood for the backs and sides look rich. At a minimum, it'll be a beautiful guitar. |
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Joined: January 2002 Posts: 970
Location: Atlanta,Ga. | an4340 ,The finish will be same as martin.I dont want to use the poly finish like Ovation.I have also considered doing a graphite top adamas project with rosewood back and sides..Still waiting for this one to end before i decide to start the next one..Paul, good to hear from you.Have not seen you around here in a while. |
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Joined: January 2003 Posts: 1498
Location: San Bernardino, California | If you start another project you might consider using one of these in the neck:
Moses Truss Rod Channel |
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Joined: January 2002 Posts: 970
Location: Atlanta,Ga. | Update on project...Back is on sides.Top will be on next week.Back has 15degree radius and top 12 degree..
http://www.ovationfanclub.com/photos/samova_57015_bh1.jpg
First phase of the neck begins.Five pieces of lamination are glued together(honduran mahogany and ebony).
http://www.ovationfanclub.com/photos/samova_57145_bh2.jpg |
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 Joined: April 2004 Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Sam, did you spec every detail out or has the luthier contributed his thoughts to the materials used. |
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Joined: January 2002 Posts: 970
Location: Atlanta,Ga. | Some info on the builder of the adamas project..
http://www.gtrs4u.com/BrianHendley.htm
http://www.dreamguitars.com/instock_hendley.htm
http://www.dreamguitars.com/upcoming.htm |
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Joined: January 2002 Posts: 970
Location: Atlanta,Ga. | Stephen,i had specific things i wanted on this guitar.It had to have the carved bridge,heel and headstock and the apelettes.In other words it has to look like a wooden adamas.When someone sees it from the front they will say its an ovation.Then when you flip it around it will be of course a bit like a 000 style martin..I specified the East Indian rosewood sides and back,even hand picked it out of about 25 sets he had.The top is an original AAA ovation top from the 70's that been sitting at my home.The rest is up to him.He has freedom on the bracing and guts of the guitar.The finish will be laquer..Check out the links above and read about Brian.He is going to a great builder for years to come.Bill Kaman take note and call this guy.You will want one of his guitars.Everyone who has ever played one is amazed at the tone,sustain and quality.Im very sure mine will sound great as well.He is doing an amazing job building my guitar with all my special features and requests.. |
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Joined: January 2002 Posts: 970
Location: Atlanta,Ga. | UPDATE:Top glued to body
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Joined: January 2002 Posts: 970
Location: Atlanta,Ga. | Ready for the router to trim off the extra wood around the sides.
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 Joined: April 2004 Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Looking very sweet Sam. Love the updates! |
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Joined: November 2003 Posts: 11039
Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | Yum. |
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Joined: July 2005 Posts: 3
Location: Decatur,Ga. | Thanks to Sam and everyone else interested in our little project.Things are going fine and I'm hoping to get quite a bit done this week. This koa binding is screaming at me as I type. I'm trying to get Sam to let me inlay some diamonds in the headstock to "Bling Bling" it up a little but I don't think he's going for it. If you have any unwanted loose gemstones lying about send them to me and maybe we can change his mind. |
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Joined: January 2002 Posts: 970
Location: Atlanta,Ga. | Hey Brian, thanks for joining the board..Maybe you can answer some questions that some of the OFC memebers might have about the "wood slothead adamas" project or about guitar building in general..Heres my question? WHEN THE HELL ARE YOU GOING TO FINISH!! :D :D :D |
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 Joined: December 2003 Posts: 13996
Location: Upper Left USA | That was good Sam!
On topic, The pegheads of Ovations have customarily been void of "Bling", unlike the M's, G's, T's and the other G's. I would consider it to be "sacred ground", especially if a carved head were the case.
The back of the peghead, on the other hand, is just plain ignored! May I suggest a delicate inlay of "Olive Branch" to signify Peace and Provision.
Save the Palm Tree for another project! |
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Joined: January 2002 Posts: 970
Location: Atlanta,Ga. | He was just kidding about the diamonds and "bling" on the adamas project.The last thing i want on this guitar is anything like abalone or flash.The theme is "wood",thats why i chose rosewood side and back,flame koa binding,spruce top and mahogany and maple neck..The headstock will look like a slothead adamas and the carved heal will be hand carved by Brian to match teh original..No flash no bling here just beautiful woods... |
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 Joined: December 2003 Posts: 13996
Location: Upper Left USA | ...no Palm Tree?
Oh.
It will be a seriously beautiful instrument I am sure. ;) |
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Joined: January 2002 Posts: 970
Location: Atlanta,Ga. | OK ,one palm tree wouldn't hurt anything..how about across the top below the bridge? |
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Joined: November 2002 Posts: 1196
Location: Lafayette, Louisiana | Beautiful project Sam. Do you have a name for the guitar yet? You already have a "wood top Adamas' now you have a "wood back and sides Adamas". :) |
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Joined: March 2002 Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | Adamas backwards would be a "Samada" . . . .
;) |
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Joined: January 2002 Posts: 970
Location: Atlanta,Ga. | I think ovation knew this and thats why they named the guitar "adamas" after me.
Hey did you know that Cliff backwords is "ffilc" which has no connection with anything. :D :D |
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Joined: August 2004 Posts: 604
Location: Tampa, FL | Actually,
Cliff backwards means the llama somehow got pointed in the wrong direction. |
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Joined: July 2005 Posts: 3
Location: Decatur,Ga. | First, our pal Sam tells you guys this guitar I'm building for him "Might sound like poo!"....Now, he uses this place as a public forum to pressure me. "When the hell am I going to finish?!!!!!!" How can I finish when you keep adding all of these extravagant details like the trucker mudflap lady fretmarker inlays? I need a nap. |
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 Joined: August 2003 Posts: 4619
Location: SoCal | Brian,
He's just trying to lower our expectations for it...and keep us from breaking into your shop the day before he arrives to pick it up. |
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Joined: January 2002 Posts: 970
Location: Atlanta,Ga. | project progress....Check out the floating brace.Starts at sides floats to the middle and back to other side.
Back glued on to sides and top
Neck glued with two pieces of graphite on each side of trus rod.
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Joined: January 2002 Posts: 970
Location: Atlanta,Ga. | If all goes well in the next 28 days,look for this guitar at the slothead reunion... |
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Joined: January 2002 Posts: 970
Location: Atlanta,Ga. | I posted this pic in another topic earlier but here is another pic of the project still under way..
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Joined: March 2005 Posts: 2791
Location: Atlanta, GA. | Looks like one hell of a gitfiddle Brian's making for you!
On the "nekkid lady mudflap fretmarker inlays"...
you goin' with chrome or stainless? |
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Joined: January 2002 Posts: 970
Location: Atlanta,Ga. | Colin,i may end up going to the factory with this one if its done before the 30th...Sorry,no fingerboard inlays on this one..Here is some more progress..
fingerboard slotted for frets.
dovetale is routed for neck.
Flame koa binding is set and glued
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Joined: January 2002 Posts: 970
Location: Atlanta,Ga. | one more of koa glued and inlayed on bottom side..  |
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 Joined: December 2003 Posts: 13996
Location: Upper Left USA | This looks good Sam!
Will Brian be able to fill 5 more orders prior to Christmas? :eek: |
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Joined: January 2002 Posts: 970
Location: Atlanta,Ga. | 5 before christmas is a piece of cake..He ads help for the holiday season..He hires elves...OOOPS! ,i mean little people..
All kidding aside this is turning out to be a very cool looking guitar!The wood back ,koa binding is really complementing the epauletts.. |
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Joined: January 2002 Posts: 970
Location: Atlanta,Ga. | OK, lots of progress on the body by Brian today.All binding on.Next filling the pourse of the wood, more sanding and about 9 coats of laquer
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Joined: November 2003 Posts: 11039
Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | Where are you going to put the access panel?
;) |
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Joined: January 2002 Posts: 970
Location: Atlanta,Ga. | Just like the original slothead adamas models ,there will be no access panel.There are no electronics and the trus rod is on the headstock side as it was on the original guitars.. |
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 Joined: September 2003 Posts: 9301
Location: south east Michigan | Hello Sam,
Maybe it's at trick of the light but the body looks very jumbo. Did you use a mathamatical equation to figure the total square inches of soundhole vs. total cubic inches of body displacement to determine the size of the soundholes? Or perhaps you just took the area that the body would need for a single hole and made the multi-hole area the same?
Or did you just wing it? |
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Joined: January 2002 Posts: 970
Location: Atlanta,Ga. | Brad,the body is the same as an ovation body maybe slighty smaller by 1/8 of an inch all the way around.The spruce top is a top that was already cut to the ovation shape and size as i got the top from ovation.It was sitting at my home for several years and probably at the factory several years before that.There was no formula done as far as the body.The body depth is a typical dred depth.. |
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Joined: January 2002 Posts: 970
Location: Atlanta,Ga. | Things are moving fast and furious at Brian's shop.He stays up till 4am working on the "project" ..
here's a pic of the pore filler applied to the guitar.
next the neck.Heel carving coming soon..
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Joined: January 2002 Posts: 970
Location: Atlanta,Ga. | very early stage of the neck and headstock detail.Still a lot of wood to be trimmed and shaved.Lots and lots of sanding.The two black lines on the neck are graphite strips for reinforcement..
Here is the first rough cut of the carved heel.It will look much nicer when he begins to shape it and finalize all the lines and details.Still a bit of wood to be removed to shape it.
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Joined: January 2002 Posts: 970
Location: Atlanta,Ga. | This is the guy i have entrusted to build my dream guitar..OH SHIT!!! :eek: Actually Brian is doing a great job and really has the talent to do this type of thing,goofy hat and all.Not many Luthiers would have takin the time away from building their own guitar models to take on a project like this
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 Joined: August 2003 Posts: 4619
Location: SoCal | wonderfull work...now for the Greek flag |
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